A report into allegations about the conduct of a Coventry city councillor was heard behind closed doors.

Press and public were prevented from hearing the details after members of the council?s standards committee chose to discuss it in private yesterday.

It is understood the report was about an incident in which Cllr Arthur Waugh is said to have ?verbally abused? a fellow councillor.

The report, given by City Secretary Chris Hinde, was moved from the public part of the agenda because it referred to a ?named individual?.

Mr Hinde is believed to have told the committee that the Standards Board for England, an independent body which oversees the conduct of councillors, deemed the claims worthy of further investigation.

He said it could be several months before any conclusions are reached.

Cllr Waugh, a former Lord Mayor of Coventry, said he did not know the report was due to be made to the committee and said: ?I?m not prepared to comment on something I don?t know anything about yet.?

In June, the Evening Telegraph reported that the council?s ruling Labour group had suspended him for three months. It followed accusations that he had verbally abused Cllr Margaret Lancaster and had not attended meetings.